The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County was created, along with 31 other Early Learning Coalitions across the state, by Florida State Statute 1002.83. (http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2016/1002.83)
In addition to providing financial assistance for child care and school readiness, the ELC of Alachua is statutorily required to build a coalition of partners and advocates to coordinate local services for children from birth through kindergarten. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Providing Child Care Resource & Referral services
- Providing Inclusion Warm-Line services
- Determining child care financial assistance eligibility procedures
- Implementing child performance standards
- Providing child developmental health and/or academic development screening and assessment
- Determining use of developmentally appropriate curricula
- Ensuring health and safety requirements
- Coordinating with statewide data system requirements
- Participating in state initiatives to build and implement an optional quality rating and improvement system